Olympic Stadium to host Diamond League meeting

Last updated on 24 January 201324 January 2013.From the section Athletics

The 2013 London Grand Prix will be held in the Olympic Stadium on the anniversary weekend of the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Games.

Olympic heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis is among those hoping to take part on 27 July at the £429million venue.

The London Grand Prix is traditionally held at Crystal Palace.

It takes part two weeks before the World Athletics Championships in Moscow, which start on 10 August.

Olympic Stadium timeline

12 July, 2012: Extended deadline for bidders to submit proposals

27 July-12 August: Olympic Games

29 August-9 September: Paralympics

5 December 2012: West Ham named as the preferred bidders to take over Olympic Stadium

August 2015: Earliest possible date stadium reopens with new tenants

"Hopefully I will be there and using the competition as part of my preparation for the World Championships," said Ennis.

"It will give athletes and fans who did not get to experience the amazing venue the chance to go there, and for those of us who had the most incredible experiences on the track and field, an opportunity to re-live a few memories."

West Ham United were named in December as the preferred bidders to take over the Olympic Stadium, which is not expected to fully reopen until August 2015.

But the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) - the body responsible for the Park's redevelopment - indicated earlier this month that it is keen to use the stadium again to mark the anniversary.

Olympic 5,000m and 10,000m champion Mo Farah, who also intends to race at the London Grand Prix, said it was "fantastic" that the Diamond League series event was being staged at the Olympic Stadium.

"The atmosphere was electric during the Games," said Farah.

"I'll never forget it, so it's great that the British fans, and athletes, will get to experience that again so soon after the Games. It'll be perfect preparation for the World Championships in August."

Boris Johnson, mayor of London and chairman of the LLDC, also welcomed the news.

"What better way to mark the anniversary of the tremendous London 2012 opening ceremony than to see this stadium packed again as the world's top athletes compete in this unique series," he said.

Fans who have already bought tickets for the Crystal Palace event on 27 July will be refunded and will get the first opportunity to buy tickets for the event at the Olympic Park.